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Dugan eyes Origin return

Sun May 19 10:45:41 EST 2013

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Origin wildcard? Josh Dugan made a try-scoring debut for St George Illawarra against the Eels.

Getty Images: Mark Nolan

Josh Dugan shapes as a State of Origin wildcard for NSW coach Laurie Daley and the new St George Illawarra full-back says he wants to lend a hand in helping to break Queensland's seven-year stranglehold on the interstate series.

Dugan was superb on his Dragons debut in Wollongong against Parramatta on Saturday night in just his second game this year after being axed by Canberra in March for repeated discipline breaches.

The former Raiders custodian scored two tries, had another disallowed, made two clean linebreaks and ran for over 200m in the Dragons' fourth win of the year.

If my name gets tossed up I would grab it with both hands but I would like to think I warrant it.

Josh Dugan

Dugan inspired the joint venture club to their most impressive attacking performance of the year and said he would welcome the opportunity to add to his sole Origin appearance of 2011.

"If my name gets tossed up I would grab it with both hands but I would like to think I warrant it," Dugan said.

"If I'm playing good footy and my name pops up I would take it and run with it but at the moment my focus is just playing well for the Dragons."

Dugan took a little while to work himself into the game but then showed he will be a crucial plank in the Dragons attacking structure from here on in.

"Once I keep training with the boys and get back into the groove everything will come more naturally," he said.

"The club has really made me feel welcome. It has definitely worked out well. I have fitted in really easily. I am loving training. I am loving being part of a team environment again."

The Dragons attack has looked lacklustre through much of this season but Dugan quickly put paid to that. Captain Ben Creagh said he had already made a significant difference to the side.

"It was our best attacking display for a long time at the club and that's the way he plays ... he is a dangerous player," Creagh said.

Dugan enjoyed a compelling battle with his Eels opposite Jarryd Hayne who is set to fill the Blues number one jersey in the Origin opener in Sydney on June 5.

Hayne twice produced vital tackles on Dugan when he had broken the Eels' line.

"It was good to see him back, it was a good little battle out there," Hayne said.